Seafoods contains essential oils which are an important portion of your diet. Oils supply the energy source we need plus they are also great flavor enhancers. Moreover, they contain significant essential fatty acids. Seafoods oils are unique and also have great nutritional benefits to the body. This oil provides the omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids, specifically the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

There are a lot of other interesting food categories and mixes that have a positive impact on your health and, therefore, should definitely be tried on a regular basis.
One of these categories is SEAFOOD. Although some of you might consider this as only an “exotic” food, proper only for special occasions, you should know that seafood could be a very good ingredient if introduced in your daily diet.

Why Seafood is HIGHLY Nutritious?

SEAFOOD IS LOW IN FAT
Seafood averages less than 2% fat. For slimmers, seafood is all good news. All seafood is low in kilojoules, with fewer kilojoules than even the leanest meat or chicken. And of course with seafood you don’t need to trim any fat. Just grill, barbecue, bake, steam, poach or microwave seafood to keep a low kilojoule count.

FISH IS LOW IN CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol is an essential part of all living animal tissue. But levels of cholesterol can be too high if we eat too much saturated fat. Seafood has very little fat of any kind and what it does have is mostly unsaturated fat. Eating fish two or three times a week can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

SEAFOOD IS HIGH IN PROTEIN
Seafood is an excellent source of top quality protein, and compares favourably with meat and chicken.

SEAFOOD IS HIGH IN VITAMINS & MINERALS
Seafood is an excellent source of many important minerals, including iodine, zinc, potassium and phosphorus. It is also rich in many vitamins, especially the B group.

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS
Omega-3s are a type of polyunsaturated fat and are essential nutrients that play many critical roles in our bodies. And, just like minerals and most vitamins, our body cannot make them.

10 MAIN EXTRAORDINARY BENEFITS that seafood can have on our health:
– Lower Blood Pressure
– Reduce the Risk of Heart Diseases and Improve Heart Functions
– Support Optimal Brain, Eyes and Nerves Development for Children
– Provide Protection Against Bronchitis
– Provide Protection Against Emphysema (associated with smoking)
– Help People in Depression
– Boost Immune System
– Prevent Cancer
– Prevent Osteoporosis and Arthritis
– Lose Weight

Suggested Top 5 International Best Seafoods:

1. Salmon: Salmon is a great source of the popular omega-3 fatty acids. This helps reduce risk of heart disease and prevents cancer. These types of acids also have anti-inflammatory functions, help the immune system and the brain. Half a fillet of cooked salmon (175 grams) has about 350 calories and 10 grams of fat. Other cold-water fish like mackerel and tuna are also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. However, when buying your salmon, keep in mind to choose the eco-friendly and sustainable option. Avoid the Atlantic farmed one and go for the wild-caught Alaskan salmon.

2. Shellfish (mussels and oysters): Shellfish are rich in Vitamin B12 which helps the nervous system. They also provide the body with iron and important minerals like potassium and magnesium. Three ounces (about 90 grams) of mussels give you 700 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. The same amount of oysters gives you 44% of the daily recommended value of iron. Three ounces of shellfish also contain about 130 calories and 3 grams of fat.

3. Pink Shrimps: Shrimp are rich in tryptophan and selenium. They are also a great source of protein, having a much better ratio of proteins gained with fats and calories than most foods. Four ounces of shrimp have 23 grams of protein, 112 calories and less than a gram of fat. Shrimps also provide the body with vitamins D and B12. All of these benefit the cardiovascular system and, believe or not, help reduce anxiety and depression.

4. Crabs: Besides the omega-3 fatty acids, protein, selenium and natural sodium, crabs are a great source of vitamin B12 and Zinc, which helps the immune system. Crabs are also low in calories and fat.

5. Sardines: The plain sardines just had to be in our top 5 list. They are the perfect example that your food doesn’t have to be expensive in order to be nutritious.

For the Philippines, we are blessed with so much seafoods all over he country! We have most of this marine products, though Salmon is not common here, we however got Tuna and Milkfish (Bangus) as a substitute.